Unites Races of America

Sean Farrelly, age 16

Salvation sought upon a stubborn shore
Heeding the shrill cries of lost lovers and
Severed souls.

From this perilous ash, blossoms a pearl
Determined to shine,
Willingly swept to green bays of subsided rot and displayed
To work-worn fingers that hastily tie crumpled velvet bows
Before cramming bent toes into heels layered with the dust
Of time

To catch a wave

A long-practiced welcome,
Forming a bone-breaking grip between roots
Twisting out of a tree
Nourished with the same salty waters of tears
As the sea
That had harboured blurred faces
Hallowed by hunger
And now swells to unite once scattered races.